The present invention manages data link resources in a wireless communication device by managing the data link resource needs of multiple client applications including the creation and sharing of data link resources. If the requested data link resources can be accommodated by the already established data link resources (106), then one or more of the already established data link resources are shared (108) with the application making the request for data link resources. If the requested data link resources can not be accommodated by the already established data link resources, then the data link resources are upgraded (110) to accommodate the additional requirements of the received request.